Sesame Seeds. Performance Food of the Week

By Kid Kritics | April 1, 2012

This delicate nutty flavored herb is chock-a-block full of nutrients. Sesame seeds feed your brain, bones, ears, hair, heart, lungs, mouth/teeth, muscles, nails, nerves, and nose. Their good brain supporting fats help to lower LDL and increase HDL levels. Along with their quality amino acid proteins, they also supply you with B complex vitamins (niacin, folic acid, thaimin, pyridoxine and riboflavin). They contain a very rich source of minerals: calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, magnesium, selenium and copper.

And, boy are they good to eat! Hummus is made with Tahini, a sesame seed paste. They often are sprinkled on baked goods such as bagels. We love to add them to salads, including egg and tuna. Certainly they enhance all salads, egg dishes and many fruit desserts. Adding them to entrees before serving is a great way to add nutritional power to every meal. Sesame seeds are a brilliant way to stoke your kids with so many of the nutrients they need while growing. We buy them in bulk and keep them in jars for handy use. Try this, too!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Brain, Breakfast, Cooking, Dinner, EFAs, Eating Healthy, Essential Fatty Acids, Family Food Experts, Fat, Food News, Gluten Free, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Herbs, Kids & Teens, Lunch, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Performance Food, Protein, Shopping, Supermarkets, Vitamins, Wheat-Free, children, dads, family, food, kids, moms, parents, www.KidKritics.com | Leave a comment

Steps to Picking Your Food Oil – the Good Fat

By Kid Kritics | February 17, 2012

Here's what food oils to buy and how to use them to get the most for your money. Buy Extra Virgin Olive Oil and non GMO Canola Oils in dark green or brown glass jars. The rest , including "Pure Olive Oil" have been processed enough to remove their health benefits and add unwanted ingredients – chemicals. Store in a cool dark place, away from your stove and burners. These oils should be good for 18 months to 2 years. Hopefully you use them up before then – your brain needs it! The best have a bite in the back of your throat. The bigger the bite, the better it is. If you open a jar and it smells like Play-Doh, it 's bad – take it back or throw it away. Please, stay away from those sold in plastic containers or cans that are now being lined with BPA.

Use your non-GMO, organic Canola Oil for everyday cooking. Save your EVOO for drizzles over vegetables and salad dressings, though it is also good for sauteing as well.

One more thing: Those bright store lights degrade oils. Pull out a bottle/jar from the back of the shelf where it has not been exposed to the light. (I do this when buying produce as well.)

For more good facts on food oils, please listen to Food Expert and Author (Reading Between the Lines), Kimberly Lord Stewart, on www.iTunes.com , Podcast, Better Food Choices dates 2/17/12. She is worth every minute!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

You have until Sunday evening to enter to win a Case of Enchilada Sauce Mix by Simply Organic. If you want a stash of this quick fix for a delicious healthier family dinner, please go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes. Enter more than once to up your odds.

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Cocoa. Performance Food of the Week

By Kid Kritics | February 12, 2012

Performance Food for Valentine's Day and everyday! Cocoa Powder (dark chocolate)! It's nutrients feed your brain, heart, muscles, nerves, bones, hair, nails and skin! You can thank its concentration of minerals and omega-3 fats for this. This powder itself actually reduces your cravings for sweets. Plus it is loaded with antioxidants – 20% more than wine. And, you know it helps lift your spirits. Catch is, for these benefits, it has to be eaten as true dark chocolate. I enjoy a square or two of a 70% dark chocolate bar everyday. 85% is even better. Start your kids on 60% dark chocolate. Most love it… and it loves them!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Antioxidants, Brain, Carbohydrates, Chocolate, EFAs, Eating Healthy, Essential Fatty Acids, Family Food Experts, Food News, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kids & Teens, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Performance Food, Protein, Shopping, Snacks, Supermarkets, Sweets, Vitamins, children, dads, family, food, kids, moms, parents, www.KidKritics.com | Leave a comment

Recipe. Black Bean Quesadillas – inexpensive and easy

By Kid Kritics | February 6, 2012

Black beans, corn, tomatoes, cheese (soy in this case) and tortillas… little olive oil and you have an inexpensive, nutritious, delicious meal for your kids. Will they like it? "Yes," says Janice, the mother of two, who created this recipe. We agree. The flavors cook together for yummy bites. Whole grain tortillas were used in this photo's version. We encourage you to try them – great source of fiber and tummy filler. There are gluten-free tortillas for those want them. You don't need a Quesadilla maker for this recipe, and, if you have one, great! (I don't… yet). For recipe details, please go to www.KidKritics.com. It is featured on the homepage. Ask you kids to help you make some of these Quesadillas and watch your family gobble them up!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Heart Healthy Week spills into our sweepstakes. Win a whole case of Wild Blueberry Juice by Wyman's of Maine, PLUS, a children's book, A Heart Pumping Adventure by Dr. Heather Manley. This is a win/win opportunity so please enter at www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today!

Brain, Breakfast, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Cooking, Dinner, Drinks, EFAs, Eating Healthy, Essential Fatty Acids, Family Food Experts, Fast and Easy, Fruit Juices, Gluten Free, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Lunch, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Performance Food, Phytonutrients, Produce, Protein, Recipes, Shopping, Snacks, Supermarkets, Throw-Together Meals, Vegetables, Vitamins, beverages, children, contest, dads, family, food, kids, moms, parents, prize, recipe, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes | Leave a comment

Dr. Heather Manley’s Healthy Heart Food List

By Kid Kritics | February 3, 2012

Since you heart is pumping hard to push blood through about 60,000 miles of blood vessels a day, wouldn't it be a good idea to feed this muscle its needed fuel? Dr. Heather shares what she feeds her family of four so all stay healthy and function at their best. Good fats (Omega-3s) were tops on her list. Putting flax seed oil with heart healthy blueberries and other fruit into smoothies is a daily event for breakfast or snacks. Avocados in salads or Guacamole are frequently consumed by her family. Grass-fed beef and eggs are commonly found on their plates for dinner and other meals. One of her young daughter's was making scrambled eggs with spinach and cheese for her breakfast while we were on the air. It's not that hard!

To hear all of Dr. Manley's Heart Health interview, please go to the www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com archived shows, or, www.iTunes.com, Podcast, Better Food Choices and click on the Feb. 3rd, 2012 show. PLEASE, avoid having any heart disease statistics in your family. Listen to Dr. Heather Manley.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Chocolate lovers, enter to Win a Case of Chocolate Walnut Cookies, Sugar Free, by Joseph's Lite Cookies. This is a great opportunity for those diagnosed as pre-Diabetic or Diabetic, or for those who want to avoid either diagnosis. Joseph made them especially for you. Go to www. KidKritics.com/sweepstakes today. Enter more than once to up your winning odds.

Better Food Choices Radio, Breakfast, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Chocolate, Cooking, Dinner, EFAs, Eating Healthy, Essential Fatty Acids, Fast and Easy, Fat, Food Allergies, Food News, Fruit, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Lunch, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Party Food, Performance Food, Podcast, Produce, Protein, Radio Interviews, Recipes, Shopping, Snacks, Supermarkets, Sweets, Throw-Together Meals, Vegetables, Vitamins, children, contest, dads, family, food, iTunes, kids, meat, moms, parents, prize, recipe, sugar-free, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes | Comment (1)

Nut Butter Buying Tips

By Kid Kritics | January 20, 2012

Yes, they are as good as they look!

How to Choose Nut Butters:

ADDRESS ALLERGENS by reading for peanut butter ingredients or exposure during processing. This helps those with and without PB allergies.

ORGANIC or NATURAL: Certified Organic means fields, plants/trees and processing meet strict organic standards… as good as it gets. Natural may or may not mean void of unhealthy ingredients. Know your source.

READ INGREDIENTS: one or two ingredients is enough for good nut butters. Avoid added stabilizers, sweeteners and oils.

RAW or ROASTED: Raw means no heat application which alters nutrients such as essential fatty acids – essential for your body's cellular production. Roasted uses heat for this adjusted flavor. The less the better which is why Lightly Roasted is a good choice.

NUT VARIETIES: Almond, Cashew, Walnut, Pecan, Macadamia and even Coconut are alternatives to Peanut Butter. Those taste tested by the Kid Kritics were big hits!

This and so much more was shared by today's radio guest, Co-Founder and President of the Artisana brand, Santiago Cuenca-Romero. Listen to all he had to say, www.iTunes, Podcast, "Better Food Choices." Very interesting guy!

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Be the one who Wins the Case of Chocolate Energy Bites by Greens+. Enter by going to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes. They are perfect for kids… just ask the Kid Kritics.

Allergies, Better Food Choices Radio, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Chocolate, EFAs, Eating Healthy, Essential Fatty Acids, Family Food Experts, Fat, Food News, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Organic and Natural, Performance Food, Podcast, Protein, Radio Interviews, Shopping, Snacks, Supermarkets, children, contest, dads, family, food, iTunes, kids, moms, parents, prize, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes | Leave a comment

Recipe. Falafel Chips Crusted Chicken Strips

By Kid Kritics | January 10, 2012

Thank you Nutrition Babes, Lauren Harris-Pincus,MS,RD & Kathleen Siegel, RD,CDN, for this recipe. It is so easy, extra nutritious and delicious! Using the what I call "meal in a chip" gluten-free organic Falafel Chips to coat the chicken takes the flavors and nutrient value to a whole new level. The Original Falafel Chips were used by The Nutrition Babes. For those who love the taste of hot, the Spicy Falafel Chips are recommended. All you do is crush the chips, press on the chicken until coated, then lightly cover with olive oil spray and bake. For details, please go to www.KidKritics.com as it is featured on the home page. Jump on this Kid Kritics Approved recipe idea.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Win both a Children's Book and a Case of Supplements! Battle with the Bugs by Dr. Heather Manley, and, Yummi Bears Organic Immunity Shield by Hero Nutritionals are this week's sweepstakes prizes. The theme, keep your kids from catching colds and the flu this winter. Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes and enter today.

Brain, Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Cooking, Dinner, EFAs, Eating Healthy, Essential Fatty Acids, Family Food Experts, Fast and Easy, Gluten Free, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kid Kritics Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Organic and Natural, Performance Food, Protein, Recipes, Shopping, Supermarkets, Vitamins, Wheat-Free, children, colds, contest, coughs, family, flu, food, immune system, kids, meat, moms, parents, prize, recipe, sweepstakes, viruses, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes | Leave a comment

Pine Nuts. Performance Food of the Week

By Kid Kritics | December 26, 2011

There are enough nutrients in pine nuts to feed your brain, blood, hair, nails, and nerves. So when you are overdosing on pesto sauce, as I do, you are doing yourself a favor. Actually, everything in pesto sauce fuels your brain and so much more. Pine nuts are a bit pricey as they are so difficult to harvest. We add just a few to our salads to enrich them. They are also delicious in egg salad when mixed with some Parmesan cheese. Pine nuts are one of those foods where you can enjoy just a little and get a lot of bang for your buck. Look for the best buy, maybe that will be in the bulk section, and keep them in your freezer.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Don't forget to enter to win a Case of Organic Spicy Falafel Chips (gluten-free) by Flamous Brands! Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes. Enter more than once to up your odds. These are a meal in a chip – a spicy meal!

Budget-saver, Carbohydrates, Cooking, EFAs, Eating Healthy, Essential Fatty Acids, Family Food Experts, Food News, Gluten Free, Grocery List, Health, Health Food Stores, Healthy, Kid Kritics Approved, Kid Kritics Approved Food Giveaway Sweepstakes, Kids & Teens, Lunch, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Organic and Natural, Party Food, Performance Food, Protein, Recipes, Shopping, Snacks, Supermarkets, Vitamins, Wheat-Free, children, contest, dads, family, food, kids, moms, parents, prize, recipe, sweepstakes, www.KidKritics.com, www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes | Leave a comment

Salmon. Performance Food of the Week

By Kid Kritics | December 18, 2011

Salmon is pretty much an all body food. It's nutrients feed your brain, blood, bones, ears, eyes, hair, heart, lungs, mouth/teeth, muscles, nails, nerves, nose and skin. However, please stay away from farmed salmon. Seek out wild cold water salmon. Buy it fresh or canned. Because it is so potent, every little bit amounts to a lot of benefits. Coat with a little lemon juice and olive oil then grill, bake or broil it. Serve with sauteed onions and garlic. Simple and super delicious. Treat canned salmon like tuna. Make a salmon salad or salmon cake. Add some to a pasta or rice dish. You will also find frozen wild salmon patties in warehouse stores for good prices. You get the most for your money with this wild fish. Try to offer it to your family once a week.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Brain, Carbohydrates, Cooking, Dinner, EFAs, Eating Healthy, Essential Fatty Acids, Fast and Easy, Gluten Free, Grocery List, Health, Healthy, Kids & Teens, Lunch, Minerals, Natural, Nutrition, Performance Food, Protein, Recipes, Shopping, Supermarkets, Vitamins, Wheat-Free, children, contest, dads, family, food, kids, moms, parents, prize, recipe, www.KidKritics.com | Leave a comment